Sorry for the delay in updates but I try to post them as fast (or as slow) as they come. Still need to figure out how to upload the gearbox soundtrack video (I recently switched mobile phones, might be that this is lost - in that case trust me, it soudned TERRIBLE in all gears - I was able to shift into every gear but esp. in 4th and 5th when the speedo hit 80 kmh or plus the whole thing started "singing". I think in the end i was able to attach it!). Also thanks for your replies so far - on the matter of money (which in Germany is always a touchy subject, but here I am on the internet, right?) - I do know that - especially given my lack of technicak knowledge - a Cosworth is not a poor man's car. Yet, since I am also not a millionaire or the like I will never put a 25k engine in that thing - I'll just try to find a reasonable way to bringing that Sierra from "close to desaster" to what I want it to be - a nice looking, gas guzzling 300+ hp daily driver that will teach all cyclists daring to stay behind it a lesson about the good old days (this is to you, Greta
) Having said that I am also not thinking too much about opportunity cost or resale value (I bought my EsCos for 15k, invested at least the same amount again but what can I say, I JUST LOVE IT). So to cut it short, Cosworths for me are an emotional matter.
Anyway, small update:
Drove the car to the shop (after I pumped up a flat tire - which actually was renewed already! - ) yet next to the nice loud gearbox and diff the drive was accompanied by some muscular exercise as the power steering apparently decided to quit service when the car stood still. So with the memories of my first car ever (Escort CL MK5 1.6l EFI - no power steering) I finally arrived at the shop. Then it was time to get the gearbox and the differential out. Looking OK from the outside for some 30 years old parts I was soon about to find out that they acutally were in catastrophic condition. So what to do? With nightmares about the only option being some Quaife parts to purchase for some money, I found a skilled and very helpful chap in our German Whatsapp Group. So I threw in the old stuff into the trunk of my Kuga and took in on a journey. The fantastic thing about that was that I was able to pick out a fully refurbished gearbox (while leaving my broken one and some extra cash) and bring it home the same day. The same chap apparently is able to also overhoaul my rear differential (thats a seperate matter as it turned out) Pictures tell more than an thousands words so let them speak:
Old Gearbox - ok from outsinde, f***** up on the inside
Refurbished unit - Thanks to T***** - what luck that I found you!
Diff pre-refurbishment, did not look good at all
Diff after some work - housing is still at sand (?) blasing shop, hope to get it back whithin 2 weeks, thanks again Mr. T
Thats the old thing from underneath (1 of 2)
Thats the old thing from underneath (2 of 2)
Off topic:
The EsCos <3
So with being sort of on track with the gearbox and the diff, next thing is the steering (small parts like silicone hoses and header tank already ordered but not worth mentioning yet).